MAKING A FRESH START- JOSHUA 3:1-5

INTRO: Praise God - God has brought us to a NEW YEAR! God is faithful. We’re MAKING A FRESH START.

In our text this morning, the Israelites are just like us…grateful because God’S Faithfulness has brought them to something NEW. They are MAKING A FRESH START.

READ JOSHUA 3:1-5 PRAY!

MAKING A FRESH START!

COMMITMENT (TO ACTION)

CONTEMPLATION

CONSECRATION

COMMITMENT (TO ACTION)- 3:1

E - Joshua and the People were COMMITTED to enter the Land of Promise. So they took ACTION.

Early the next morning…ANTICIPATION; EAGER TO MOVE (THEY LEFT)

They were done with events of their Past.

They had been through the Plagues of Egypt; a Red Sea; Scared Scouts; Droughts; Death of Leaders; 40 years of wandering…and yet they remained COMMITTED to the Promise.

R - In the same way we’ve been through a PANDEMIC; Weather Disasters; Political Battles; Tragedies of Gun Violence; Money Schemes; Death of loved ones; and YET we remain COMMITTED to Serve the Lord, Trust the Lord,

CONTEMPLATION - 3:1B

E - arrived at the banks of the Jordan river.

Even though the Israelites had great anticipation of MAKING A FRESH START, standing at the Jordan caused great CONTEMPLATION.

Jordan River - Israelites were afraid of water. Not good swimmers. Not good at NAVIGATING the CURRENTS.

They stood on the shores REFLECTING - Over their past fears; FAILURES…YET God had PROVED Himself faithful.

R - It’s good to reflecting over what God has done in your life. BLESSING JAR.

They stood with INTROSPECTION - the examination of one's own mental and emotional processes.

Did I really need to be angry at ___________?

Was I fair in blaming __________ for my circumstances?

How many times have I read a FB posts and judged somebody…when I’m guilty of the same thing?

When God is about to bless you; when you see His hand working in your favor...it causes you to CONTEMPLATE not only His goodness, BUT also your unworthiness.

The Israelites had 3 DAYS to CONTEMPLATE…THE LORD DOES MYSTERIOUS THINGS IN 3 DAYS.

MOSES - asked for 3 days to go and worship

JONAH - 3 days in the belly of the fish

SAUL/Paul - blind for 3 days

JESUS - destroy this temple; raise it up in 3 days

So in this 3 days of CONTEMPLATION plans were made...watch for the ark to move, then you move.

CONSECRATION - V. 5

Purify - CONSECRATE = Qadesh=make holy

E - CONSECRATE YOURSELVES - separate yourselves from anything that would contaminate your relationship with God.

to the ISRAELITES - WASHING OF GARMENTS; ABSTAINING FROM IMMORALITY; CERTAIN FOODS.

“Thank God we live in the New Testament because God doesn’t care about my clothing.” but CONSECRATION is not about you, it’s about your REVERENCE TO GOD.

IS 61:10 “For He has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.”

Col 3:12 “Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

Col 3.14 “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

Rev 19:8 “She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.”

“We all sin so God will forgive me afterwards.” BUT CONSECRATION IS not about your desires it’s about GOD’S CHARACTER.

We say, “God allows me to eat whatever I choose as long as I pray over it first.” AND that is true to a degree…but check your appetites.

A - SO HOW DO I CONSECRATE MYSELF TO GOD? 4 STEPS!

1. Dedicate your heart to God - desire to live holy and want to be changed into the image of Jesus.

Make a conscious, willing decision to surrender your soul, mind, heart, and body to God. No one can force you into it. (Pastor; Parent; Position)

2. Repent - As you CONTEMPLATE the Holy Spirit reveals you. Little passions, desires, and longings you haven’t yet let go of. Repent and be set free from every hold of the enemy on you. SPIRITUAL RELAPSE.

3. REMOVE yourself from the evils of the world - 1 John 2:16 – For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. Consecration is spiritual. It also involves your body. Our physical bodies will always be drawn to the ways of the world.

TO CONSECRATE YOURSELF means GIVING priority to spiritual things over physical things. It will require ACTION; REMOVING ANYTHING that hinders your relationship with God. NOT DIVORCE!

This is especially true when it comes to the way we look at our finances, romantic love, how we spend our time, friendships etc.

4. Draw closer to God - Prayer; Studying the Bible, waiting on God .

CLOSE

Stay committed - TO GOD, FAMILY, THE CHURCH.

CONTINUE CONTEMPLATING - Consider His faithfulness; discover how you can become more faithful.

REMAIN CONSECRATED - Not a one time thing; be prepared to continue pursuing God for the rest of your life.

LET’S MAKE A FRESH START!